Tag Archives: Argument

During earlier days working in an engineering consulting firm, I remember my geologist buddies heading out for days at time to drill sites. Some days, I envied them as they spent glorious spring days outside while I modeled or wrote reports back in the office. Other days, I enjoyed the warmth of the building as they toiled under the wet and cold conditions of a Pacific Northwest winter. My students are budding geologists and we tried to simulate a bit of the sampling experience.

The above map provides a basic overview rock in China. Eight different sites were overlaid. Sites were selected next to cities so that students could reference names as they worked. I was also curious how a wide spread set of “top layers” would work out. Would it allow me to differentiate groups? Would there be more conversations with a wider number of sites?

To begin the project, students joined a group that, depending on the numbers in the class, ranged from three to five students. As such, out of the eight sites on the map of China, student groups represented four or five. They did not see the overview map at the beginning. Instead, students were given a map of China with a box at their site and a zoomed in version of their site (the boxed area). As a group, they were asked to decide how the site would be split up and who would be responsible for each portion.

This year, I am experimenting with the line between group and individual work and trying to find a good balance. As individuals, I want each student to be engaged and have the opportunity to process on their own. As a group member, I want each student to work on collaboration and promoting ideas. In this task, once the site was split up and discussed, each student had to design his or her own cupcake of their portion of the site.

Stepping out of the classroom always provides interesting views into the picture of who my students are – some were quite comfortable working around in a kitchen space while others were almost paralyzed at layering their cupcakes. In the end, the cupcakes were all put together and baked. Five minutes passed as the students sat mesmerized in front of the oven watching baking bread. Hmmm – who knew it was so fascinating.

When cooked and cooled, the samples were iced to cover the top layer and then students were given an unknown sample. Their group’s task was to know identify which site was represented by the unknown group of cupcakes. Each student was allowed three core samples – using a straw they drilled down into the cupcake. Core samples were sketched and students asked to draw the cross section of their site.

With 12 to 15 core samples per group, students began processing information. At this stage, I felt that I did not do a great job in guiding students. Partly, I was curious in how they would work with the wide amount of data. Each sample had the possibility of four layers and some were more mixed up. This gives 50 or so “pieces” of evidence though for this task, students really only needed to look at the top layer of their samples. Some groups figured this out quickly and others took time but got there. What was not done well was how students represented this information. I feel that I need a bit more work in using images to capture data.

It’s great when spontaneous argument begins in class. As groups narrowed down their sites, I realized that some groups had picked the same site. I put these groups together to hash it out. Awesome, wonderful conversations ensued. Unfortunately, this was not replicated in the other three classes. Looking back, I realize that the spread of initial sites offered to much variety. I want the argumentation to come out and as such need to have sites that will hopefully lead students to a state where they need to really work with evidence and convince others of their ideas.

Long post note: I hope I will remember to look back over this post if this project is done in the future. Hence, a broad overview. Modifications:

Focusing on sites that are more similar in nature may also help with the batter issue. A few classes had shortages though not of the same color.

Sprinkles as fossils did not work out – the sprinkles disappeared while baking.

Straws as core sampling tool. A great student idea was to take the sample and then instead of trying to take the sample out (frustrating and often crumbles) simply cut the straw at the sample.